(a) The legislative body of a municipality unserved by a cable television system, and which desires such service, may request the assistance of the Department of Public Service. Upon receipt of any request from a municipality in an unserved area, the Department shall analyze and define the service territory, taking particular account of the type of service that may be requested by the municipality, and the service currently provided by companies in contiguous areas. The Department shall prepare a request for proposals to provide such service and submit the request to all companies which the Department determines would likely serve the areas, and shall advertise in the local trade and press.

(b) Upon receipt of any responses to serve the municipality, the Department shall submit them together with any comment thereon to the municipality, and invite the responding companies to apply for a certificate of public good under this chapter. (Added 1987, No. 271 (Adj. Sess.), § 12, eff. June 21, 1988.)